In the U.S., Walmart and Kraft have been outed for their “100% Parmesan Cheese” that’s anything but 100%! There’s cheap wood filler called cellulose sprinkled inside.

Just what are you eating? Well, lots of questionable stuff. But actually it’s not the cellulose that you should be freaking out about, says celebrity nutritionist Rehan Jalali. “Parmesan cheese can contain natamycin (anti-mold agent) and potassium sorbate (food preservative) which may pose potential health risks. The best thing to do for all you Parmesan cheese lovers is to get a block of cheese and grate away. In other words, make your own!”

Although cellulose, which is extracted from ground-up wood from plants, has been deemed safe for human consumption, it’s all about misleading labeling, agree experts.

Beware common foods! “Many of our most trusted foodstuffs – such as cheese, yogurt, bread and breakfast cereals – contain misleading, unhealthy and potentially dangerous ingredients,” says Desiree Nielsen, a Vancouver-based registered dietitian and author of Un-Junk Your Diet. These ingredients may help extend shelf life, create an irresistible flavour or bring costs down – but at our cost!

While the cellulose is pretty harmless to the eater, says Nielsen, she is concerned that manufacturers are using cheaply processed ingredients to bulk up more expensive foods. “It’s unethical and representative of a hyper-processed food system that cares more about the bottom line than food quality or the health of the consumer.”

Read labels and adhere to the “recipe test,” says Nielsen, of desireerd.com. “If an ingredient listing doesn’t sound like a healthy recipe you would make at home, give it a pass.”

However, not all ingredients are easy to spot, she adds. “Choosing organic can be another great way to protect against unwanted ingredients. For example, hexane-treated soy is not permitted in organic foods, nor is BHA. So by purchasing a breakfast cereal from an organic company such as Nature’s Path, you can guarantee that no icky ingredients will make it onto your breakfast table.”

According to says Dr. Chad Larson, consultant at Cyrex Laboratories, most people would be surprised to find out that many common foods have misleading ingredients, such as meat glue – which is used to turn small pieces of meat into larger pieces. “The process makes it possible for lower quality meats to be added to higher quality meats which are then disguised as the high quality meat. Meat glue has a much, much higher risk of bacterial contamination, which can cause food poisoning.”

Only order meat with a bone in it to make sure meat glue isn’t used to form your expensive filet minion, says Larson, of joincyrex.com, a clinical immunology lab specializing in functional immunology and autoimmunity.

Some ingredients can be dangerous, he says, so try to stick to whole foods that don’t have labels and that means avoiding the middle aisles of your grocery store, he says. “Get tested to understand which foods your body reacts to. Every body is unique and may react differently than others.”

Some ingredients of concern:

Shellac: Commonly found giving a glossy sheen to candy, shellac is derived from the secretions of an insect called Kerria lacca and may cause an allergic reaction, says Desiree Nielsen, nutrition expert.

Trans fats: Found in crackers, chips and baked goods, they are known to promote inflammation which can lead to numerous diseases including heart disease, says Rahan Jalali, of rahanjalali.com.

Transglutaminase: “Known popularly as meat glue, this enzyme can pose a food safety risk if meats are not thoroughly heated to kill pathogenic bacteria,” says Nielsen, adding that transglutaminase can also wreak havoc with gut health.

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA): A common preservative used to lengthen the shelf life of foods may possibly be shortening your shelf life – it’s been linked to cancer and neurological issues, says Jalali.

Sodium nitrite: This preservative found in hot dogs and deli meats that has also been linked to some cancers, says Jalali.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG): This flavour enhancer is used in some Chinese food and also frozen dinners, salad dressings, and deli meats. “MSG has been shown to damage nerve cells and result in headaches, sweating, facial pressure, numbness, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, and nausea,” says Dr. Chad Larson, of Cyrex Labs.

HFCS (high fructose corn syrup): Some say this controversial sweetening ingredient is harmless while others say it can cause liver damage and other serious problems, says Jalali. “Higher dosage can be seriously problematic especially since it’s found in virtually hundreds of food products.”

Acrylamide: Found in deep fried foods like French fries, “it has been directly linked to cancer, although more human research needs to be done, and is the same chemical that is found in cigarette smoke!” adds Jalali.

Polysorbate 80: This emulsifier is found in ice cream, puddings, chewing gum, and sauces to make them smooth, says Jalali, and soap and cosmetics too. “Animal research links it to infertility, some cancers, and mutagenic effects.”

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